It was a dark and stormy knight, and nine dark defenders embarked upon a most perilous quest. They're the ultimate defenders of humanity, modern day knights who do dark deeds for all the right reasons. In this all-star collection, nine of today's hottest paranormal authors bring us thrilling, all-new stories of supernatural knights that are brimming with magic mystery and mayhem.

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It was a dark and stormy knight, and nine dark defenders embarked upon a most perilous quest. They're the ultimate defenders of humanity, modern-day knights who do dark deeds for all the right reasons.

In this all-star collection, nine of today's hottest paranormal authors bring us thrilling, all-new stories of supernatural knights - stories that are brimming with magic, mystery, and mayhem.

John Marcone sets aside his plans to kill Harry Dresden to go head-to-head with a cantrev lord in Jim Butcher's "Even Hand". Kate Daniels is called upon for bodyguard duty to protect Saimen, a shifter she trusts less than the enemy in Ilona Andrews' "A Questionable Client". Cormac must stop a killer werewolf before it attacks again on the next full moon in Carrie Vaughn's "Gods Creatures". And in Vicki Pettersson's "Shifting Star", Skamar gets more than she bargained for when she goes after a creature kidnapping young girls and enlists the aid of her frustratingly sexy neighbor.

When everything's on the line, will these knights complete their missions and live to fight again another day? Find out in Dark and Stormy Knights! Included are stories from Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Shannon K. Butcher, Rachel Caine, P.N. Elrod, Deidre Knight, Vicki Pettersson, Lilith Saintcrow, and Carrie Vaughn.

All of the entries are excellent reads, but as we all know the story narrated can ruin it for you. All of the entries are well read, however, the man who ready Jim Butcher's entry about the infamous character John Marcone needed to be told that he didn't have to sound like a "wise guy" from some old 50's film. Johnny is not a smoker or drinker and this buy sounded like he had been on binge all of his life. The upside is that David Pittu is excellent as 30's vampire and super sleuth Jack Fleming is right on the mark.

I picked up this volume of short stories in a sale. I didn't have high expectations because I am not a huge fan of the short form, but there were several writers included that I liked so I gave it a try. And, most of the stories are pretty good, especially Ilona Andrews' and Jim Butcher's. But I got a total shock from Rachel Caine. I have read some of Caine's books, but have never been overly impressed. However, her short story, Even a Rabbit Will Bite, is just about as good a short story as I have ever read - right up there with some of my favorites of Edgar Allen Poe and that is saying something. She builds and destroys a whole world in one brief story, makes the reader care deeply about some very odd characters, and left me with a tale I will never forget. It is especially nice that this great story is perfectly narrated by Suzanne Toren (bravo, Ms. Toren!). This is such a great short story, it makes the whole collection totally worth a credit.

If you know any of these authors, give this anthology a chance, and don't expect the same old same old. I was very pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this bunch of stories. I don't know what the other people who only gave two stars were expecting, but you can't please everyone. I found myself really enjoying the entire anthology. Great authors, some doing different things, others sticking to what they know. On a recent road trip everyone enjoyed this one.

I bought this just for Jim Butcher's story (which was actually about John Marcone, not Harry Dresden) but I enjoyed every story. It's very rare that I find a compilation like this where every story is gripping, action-packed, and well written but this one has it all. I enjoyed that there was very little romance and a lot of battling monsters. I will definitely listen to this collection again!

I get the anthologies to read different authors and hear different narrators. I liked this anthology better than Down these Strange Streets although the subject matter was the same and many of the same authors. I feel these stories were shorter and if you weren't already familiar with the character they provided enough to enjoy the story. Also there was a variety of stories, some romance ,some stories funny, some were scary some were sad, some were twist on history so something for everyone provided your into monsters or "the unknown". I wish audible provided a more detailed table of contents though so I can go back and maybe look up other things from the authors and/or narrators that were particularly entertaining. as an example, I particularly liked the story by Rachel Caine and Carrie Vaughn. I magine the Kindle version has all that. whisper sync is perfect for books like this, you can read some or listen or read and listen.

I will be honest up front, I really only got this book because I saw it had a Dresden Files short story in it by Jim Butcher. I won't spoil things, but fans will find it a very interesting story, and one they might not (I certainly didn't) expect. I found his wife's story to also be very good, and P. N. Elrod always writes excellent stories. I didn't listen too carefully to most of the other stories, and I will likely go back and do so, but as I picked this up in anticipation of Jim Butcher's fourteenth Dresden Files novel, Cold Days, his was really the only story I was interested in listening to at the time of purchase. Sharron K Butcher's story was a very different type of story, but a pleasant surprise. I hope we will see more of this from her. Thus the above ratings is only for the stories I listened to, and not an overall rating. Id rate the Jim Butcher story five stars, with a solid four and a half stars for the narrator. He does an excellent job, but James Marsters has ruined other narrators telling of Jim Butcher Dresden Files books/stories as he is so damn good at it.

I'm giving this book four stars only because I'm not a huge fan of short stories. I picked up this book because it had offerings from some of my favorite authors. They were all very good, not a clunker in the batch.

One of the best things about the short story format is that is offers an author of a long-running series the opportunity to write something from one of their supporting character's point of view. Sometimes this can be disappointing, but not here. I don't want to give any spoilers.... but Jim Butcher does a great job here.

Each story was about a hero, perhaps a bit of a dark one, but they were all doing what they could to make their world better, even if they got a little satisfaction or cash for themselves along the way. Each author is solid, skilled and reputable. I never felt like I was listening to short stories, which I dislike. It was like a series of novellas. If you like one of these authors, and who wouldn't, take a chance on hearing someone new. I've found a few new authors from these books and this is my third of the compilations. Not one was a novella I'd prefer to skip over. All were worth the time and shared credit. I recommend.

Would you consider the audio edition of Dark and Stormy Knights to be better than the print version?

I really liked this collection of stories and the characters. Some of them were just a bit short but enjoyable. I got a chance to listen to other authors and see if I would enjoy other stories by the authors.

What did you like best about this story?

The variety of the settings and the various authors made for a good read.

I am not really a short story fan ordinarily, but these stories got me carried away & gave me an idea of the other writers style that I had not read before, each short story had a different narrator & the production was really great. My favoutrites definately are 'Questionable Client' & 'Even Hand', but most have their merits, the most haunting had to be 'Even a rabbit will Bite', which stayed with me long after.Here's a snap shot of each story to give you an idea of what to expect. Ilona Andrews - A Questionable Client. Kate works for the Mercenary Guild & when she's offered £3000 dollars for one nights work she knows it's going to be a nasty job, even if it is bodyguarding. Superb characterisation, plot, magical creatures. Written with wry humour & intelligence.

Deirdre Knight - Unknighted. Magical fantasy she has to complete the puzzle, but there is something missing, a benefactor suddenly gives what she needs, to release whats in the puzzle. Failure is not an option, slow build up to a life threatening ending.

Jim Butcher - Even Hand Written from John Macone point of view, he who is cold hearted, mobster extrodinaire, has lines even he won't cross especially when it comes to drugs, prostitution involving kids. Which maybe is why he uncharacteristically agrees to give his protection to Justine & a child. Hardhitting, magical vilolence.

Sean Butcher - The Beacon. Ryder is an assassin, he's sick to the teeth of his job, he has to kill the 'Beacon' - A human, he falters & has to stand & fight, a fight he has no chance in hell of winning. Dark & gritty - desperate measures take place for pure survival - superior descriptive writing.

Rachel Caine - Even a Rabbit will Bite. A slow burner this one, She's been a dragon slayer for over 700 years & has to train the new slayer who is going to take her place. A melancholy tale with a desperate twist. Dark undertones that make you think..

Vikki Petterson - Shifting Star. Schmar wants to stay under the radar, but Vaughn makes that difficult - she doesn't want to feel she just wants to make the Tulper pay - painfully. Super powers, vicious fights a short story from the Zodiac series, warring fractions of light & dark, fighting for Vegas's Soul.

Lilith Saintcrow - Rockwood & Mrs King. Rockwoods a vampire, a very thirsty vampire & well he cannot but help appreciate the attributes of Mrs King, when she comes into his office & asks for him to kill her husband. It's a who using who scenario. Again noir type, gumshoe, hardboiled detective style. Keeps you guessing.

Carrie Vaughn - Gods Creature. Cormack is a mercenary his services are expensive, but he gets the job done - tough, relentless, cynical & a hunter with many notches on his belt. When a local farmer purchases his services to kill a rogue werewolf, it's more complicated than it first appears...

I gave it four stars as this was about average of the individual scores. Great Stuff,if you like it, dark, hardboiled & gritty .

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sharon

Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom

12/13/10

Overall

"Dark & Gritty"

I am not really a short story fan ordinarily, but these stories got me carried away & gave me an idea of the other writers style that I had not read before.
Each is read by a different narrator, superbly produced. I gave it four stars as this was about average of the individual stories. Great Stuff,if you like it, dark, hardboiled & gritty - wry humour & superb descriptive writing and tight plots. recommended...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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